title: The professional responsibility for care.
abstract: Access to dental care is an essential need for all patients, particularly for individuals with complex medical conditions. Consequently, dentists have a moral and professional obligation to provide care for all individuals within the dentist's realm of expertise. However, throughout the HIV epidemic dental professionals have demonstrated an unwillingness to treat infected patients. This article addresses common objections raised by dentists unwilling to provide care, and discusses the professional obligation to treat and the importance of professionalism in reducing discrimination.
authors.affiliation: University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Philadelphia 19104, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Glick
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Burris
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000523:psychology; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D017742:Dental Care for Chronically Ill / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology; D004990:Ethics, Dental; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D011287:Prejudice; D016079:Refusal to Treat; D012941:Social Responsibility